Mason32

I think much has changed since Eagle was last for sale. AMR ran their grand experiment using Cape Air in little 402's out in STL on an interline agreement. More recently they formed an interline agreement with JetBlue, and even gave away some AMR Eagle flying, slots, and routes in the process.... So we have large plane operators flying what were AMR routes providing feed... now the precedent has been made and nobody said boo....
I expect Eagle to be spun off to existing AMR shareholders with AMR retaining 49% interest, but no longer owned. Shortly thereafter, their fee for departure contract will be cancelled, and they will begin flying the exact same feed flying on an interline agreement. As a non AMR owned, non-subcontractor, the scope clauses will no longer apply, and Eagle will begin accepting deliveries of larger jets... E190's... why bother... they'll probably get a stack of 73's.
This would allow AMR to continue their long stated agenda of making Eagle the domestic carrier, and making AA the long haul, transcon & international airline. Once the dust settles, AMR will buy back the outstanding 51% interest from it's shareholders.

DashDriverYV

You are in the wrong line of work. Ever try management?

SharkyBN584

When I finally get out of this industry it's threads like this that will remind me I have made the right decision. I don't care what regional you're working for...it's probably the wrong one

AirbornPegasus

The greatest fear should be that the good reverend gives in to guaranteed flying and profits (for perhaps 10 - 15 years), which would provide him additional time for him to get the house in order over on the Frontier side. American knows they need to sell Eagle and will likely make him such a deal, he cannot refuse it.

Eagle should sell to a regional airline that intends to stay that way. RAH is headed in a completely different direction. If BB want growth on the contracted side of the business -- the logical airline to buy would have been Compass - same planes, same or less seniority, same flying, etc. However, RAH said they had too much on their plate and passed. The stock market bruised them for it.

An AE purchase has trouble written all over it for both seniority lists, corporate integration, fleet integration, corporate missions, RAH balance sheet, etc. However, if American and the stock market make him take it by making it too financially lucrative to pass up and brusing the stock price further for passing, BB will have to bite. Good luck to the AE and RAH pilot groups if this happens.

flyguy23

Don't let Bedford fool you. Labor had nothing to do with the purchase of Compass. He's just trying to make himself look like the good guy. Compass is a staffing company. He would have purchased the pilots, infrastructure, and contract that delta would almost certainly not have renewed when the time came. Depending on the purchase price, he may have lost money in the long run with nothing to show for it.

Eagle is an entirely different situation. It would give BB the opportunity to be the exclusive american feeder. It would most certainly prop up the branded side for many years. I have no clue if there is any truth to the rumors at all, or if RAH has the ability to purchase eagle. I just wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

Wheels up

In that case AMR would still be receiving revenue from it's ownership share of the shill corporation. If they thought they could do get away with that, they would have done it long long ago.

mshunter

This is probably where all the "DOOOOM TEHZ PILOT SHOTEZ!" comes from. A ton of senior guys means possible movement in the comming years. Most guys airline career is only 25-30 years.

mwa1

probably pull another midwest move and shut it down but move new equipment in. then all "whose flying was it " talk can begin.

eaglefly

The overwhelming majority of the top 500 have at least 10 years to go.

mshunter

Seriously? Must have been a good place to be a while ago. Too bad fares heven't kept up enough to make it profitable.